Busch Gardens Tampa tips

I found another thread on this topic, but it was from 2005 and I know a lot has changed since then. Anybody have some general info and tips on BG? I have been once before, but it was a couple of years ago and we really only spent 1/2 a day there. I just got a pass and am planning to go on MLK day...I know the holiday will increase the crowds, so I'm looking for some advice. Knowing so much about Disney, going to another theme park without all that knowledge worries me, LOL!

So, where's the best place to start in the mornings? General plan of attack for the coasters/thrill rides? Do crowds typically thin out in the evenings, even with an earlier closing time than most WDW parks? Dining suggestions (cheap/good)? All info is welcome and appreciated

Google AdSenseGuest Advertisement

My hubbie, daughters (8 and 5 at the time), and I were there in May. We absolutely loved it... in fact, we loved it so much, we went a second day.

If you're into coasters, there are tons of great ones. I'd ride Cheetah Hunt first since it's the newest. It had the longest line, although lines were minimal when we were there. I'd also recommend SheiKra if you like intense coasters.

We just loved seeing the animals. One "can't miss" thing to do is to go to the Tiger Exhibit. There's a "tunnel" you can go thru that pops you up so you're inside a glass booth inside the tiger exhibit. With any luck, they'll be laying close by, and if you've got someone with you, they can take a picture of you up close and personal to the tiger!

We also had to feed the kangaroos since we'd never done that before! We also spent some time in the Animal Care Center where they actually do medical procedures on the animals. We got to watch a turtle having a surgery when we were there.

We didn't do the All Day Dining since we heard it wasn't worth it, and that it limited you to certain places. We adults really enjoyed the Smokehouse (we had the brisket, chicken, and ribs combo).

There were also some good shows - Iceploration being one of them. If you have litle kids, my girls loved Critter Castaways, and they got to meet some of the cast after the show.

Busch Gardens is our favorite park for coasters and we always go twice in a trip. Last time I was there was June 2012 and Cheetah Hunt was brand new. We went first thing, when the park opened. The loading process was so abysmally slow I think we could have gone on Montu 3 times by the time we got on Cheetah Hunt, even though the line wasn't even that long. I would not waste more than one go on Cheetah Hunt, its fun but not THAT fun and definitely not better than SheiKra or Montu. So even though it was our first time on Cheetah Hunt we really felt like it wasted a lot of our "get there when the park opens" jump on lines.

We tried the all-day eating thing once and it is way too expensive, you will never eat enough to make it worth it. Most certainly you couldn't eat that much and go on the coasters!

If you love coasters and the biggest ones have huge lines Kumba will have shorter or no lines. It is really fun but at the back of the park and rougher than the other coasters except Gwazi of course.

If the whole park opens at once I would go on Cheetah Hunt once right at park opening and then not waste any more time on it, but that's just me. I could go on SheiKra all day. Last time we went though half the park opened an hour after official opening so SheiKra wasn't even running until 10:00.

I did notice, with where Cheetah Hunt is situated, that people tend to move on to Montu since its closest to Cheetah Hunt. So that means SheiKra is wide open for a while in the morning while people do CH/Montu, assuming they actually opened everything at once.

But that's just me and my coaster loving son, I am sure sure some people go for the animals and can give advice on that.

What hotels are close to Busch Gardens? Is I am better off staying in Orlando, Fl. I planning on going back to Sea World. Also has anyone take the bus that pick up at Sea World for Busch Gardens and was it nice and how long did take get there on the bus. I will have a car for the trip that is not a problem.

What hotels are close to Busch Gardens? Is I am better off staying in Orlando, Fl. I planning on going back to Sea World. Also has anyone take the bus that pick up at Sea World for Busch Gardens and was it nice and how long did take get there on the bus. I will have a car for the trip that is not a problem.

Click to expand...

We always drive from Orlando and back in the same day. It is maybe an hour and 15 min. I would rather do that anyday then be stuck with a bus schedule but that's just us. I know some people don't mind the free shuttle but everybody has days where they just need to leave a park earlier than expected, or it rains, or somebody gets heat stroke or whatever.

Hotels: I have no idea! Orlando lodging is so inexpensive comparitively, we just use it as our hub for Busch, beaches, and obviously all the Orlando area parks. The area BG is in is called Temple Terrace and not exactly a resort area, more like a college/business/not too exciting area. I really feel that a day is largely wasted if switching lodging is involved, and I have tried to do this on several trips and it always screws up at least an afternoon. I just like to plant my family and stay put til its over, so we drive to BG and the beach.

I am also curious about lodging in Tampa. We are flying into Orlando due to seriously low flight prices but want to go to Busch Gardens. The hotels around BG did not have very good reviews and I was able to find cheaper hotels that were better rated by guests in Orlando.
So the drive isn't too bad? We haven't booked a room yet, still waiting to see if there is something better priced in a better area in Tampa.

Is two days enough at BG? I think we will also have Adventure Island tix too, and we want to go to the beach (gulf side) so I have planned for three days to have fun.

Is two days enough at BG? I think we will also have Adventure Island tix too, and we want to go to the beach (gulf side) so I have planned for three days to have fun.

Click to expand...

It makes no sense to stay in Orlando but drive to BG two days and to the beach one day. Much too much time driving not to mention the gas you'll be wasting. People who round trip it in one day are spending their vacation in Orlando and want to spend one day at BG.

Use a site like Kayak. Plenty of 3* properties. within 5 miles of BG. A couple of 4* properties within 10 miles.

I am also curious about lodging in Tampa. We are flying into Orlando due to seriously low flight prices but want to go to Busch Gardens. The hotels around BG did not have very good reviews and I was able to find cheaper hotels that were better rated by guests in Orlando.
So the drive isn't too bad? We haven't booked a room yet, still waiting to see if there is something better priced in a better area in Tampa.

Is two days enough at BG? I think we will also have Adventure Island tix too, and we want to go to the beach (gulf side) so I have planned for three days to have fun.

Click to expand...

We tried to resolve this last year by spending 4 nights on Indian Rocks Beach in a condo. It was gorgeous, loved the beach, but the drive to Busch was still over an hour! So we had a good time and got our beach fix but driving through Tampa is not fun, trying to get to BG by 9 am. If you come in from the East from Orlando I think its actually the same drive time as coming in from the west (Indian Rocks Beach or Clearwater) and driving through rush hour Tampa. That is why we decided not to do it again, it just didn't help much and the lodging was way more expensive. Maybe there is cheaper lodging away from the beaches.

Plus the Atlantic beaches (Cocoa, Melbourne) are only an hour away from Orlando anyway.

We tried to resolve this last year by spending 4 nights on Indian Rocks Beach in a condo. It was gorgeous, loved the beach, but the drive to Busch was still over an hour! So we had a good time and got our beach fix but driving through Tampa is not fun, trying to get to BG by 9 am. If you come in from the East from Orlando I think its actually the same drive time as coming in from the west (Indian Rocks Beach or Clearwater) and driving through rush hour Tampa. That is why we decided not to do it again, it just didn't help much and the lodging was way more expensive. Maybe there is cheaper lodging away from the beaches.

Plus the Atlantic beaches (Cocoa, Melbourne) are only an hour away from Orlando anyway.

Click to expand...

Good information. We also stayed at Indian Rocks Beach during the Christmas holidays and drove to Busch Gardens one day. It is just as easy to come from Orlando. We have done it many times. Just over and hour and less traffic overall.

It is a plus to stay in Orlando and not have to move. It is also nice to be able to break the week up. We have Busch Platinum passes, so might do Sea World one day, Busch Gardens the next, a day off to relax, then back to Sea World, then Busch Gardens. Since the two parks are completely different, it's nice to be able to rotate them. I wouldn't want to be in Busch Gardens two consecutive days.

BG is not a resort area that is for sure. It is near USF, hospitals, and businesses, and lower-income residences/college housing in Tampa. The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino is the largest hotel near BG. I am not sure how that is with kids. It is near the fairgrounds. There is also a hotel right across from fairground entrance that is decent, but I forget the name. If you go in February you want to avoid the stuck in State Fair traffic for hours anyways.

If you want to stay near BG are not going to the beaches, look around these landmarks so you will have food options:

-Brandon Town Center (Brandon Mall)
-Wiregrass Ranch Mall (Wesley Chapel, FL) Outdoor mall
-International Plaza / Mall (better part of Tampa, FL) also closer to beaches, close to airport.
- Westshore Plaza (upscale mall not to far from International Plaza)
-Do not stay near University Mall (closest mall to BG but bad part of town)
-Plant City (famous for the strawberry festival)
- Channelside (near the port where the cruises leave from. This is the only real tourist area of Tampa). Ybor is a historical area but a bar district and questionable crowd at night.
- Carrollwood Mall (Carrollwood, FL)

- If you haven't noticed the trend, it's stay at least 15 minute drive from BG. There are some decent places to stay near BG but you would have to be careful when choosing and since you are not familiar with the area, just best to stay near a mall or better area.

-If you are spending time at the beach, check out the pirate boat tours. We went on one for a private party, young kids love it!

-Visit Winter the Dolphin (from the movie) seewinter.com

Beaches:

If you are going to visit St. Pete beach or Clearwater, just stay at the beach. We like to go to John's Pass Boardwalk area which is Madeira beach. When we camp we stay at Fort DeSoto State Park.

Tradewinds Resort is popular but on the pricey side. Great choice for kids. They do movies in the pool, have giant inflatable slides, a water island play area in shallow area of the beach. They have hair braiding stands, face painting, and every other tourist thing you can think of.

Siesta Keys is popular and has a playground on the beach. I have never been inside.

There are tons of resorts to choose from.

Don Cesar is really upscale and featured on the Travel Channel (The "Pink Palace") but I wouldn't personally stay there. I worked here for a conference. It is beautiful.

My personal favorite place to stay in St. Pete is Postcard Inn. It's a older hotel, lower price than the resorts. It brings in a college crowd. But you have to be prepared for a travel lodge with a fresh coat of paint (which is what it is). It is two properties over from Tradewinds. Get a second floor or else you will hear everything going on above you. Hey, the price is good and the staff are nice, and it's on the beach! Then we walk down to Tradewinds to rent jet ski's. You can also pay to use the slides and water island as a non-resort guest.

BG is not a resort area that is for sure. It is near USF, hospitals, and businesses, and lower-income residences/college housing in Tampa. The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino is the largest hotel near BG. I am not sure how that is with kids. It is near the fairgrounds. There is also a hotel right across from fairground entrance that is decent, but I forget the name. If you go in February you want to avoid the stuck in State Fair traffic for hours anyways.

If you want to stay near BG are not going to the beaches, look around these landmarks so you will have food options:

-Brandon Town Center (Brandon Mall)
-Wiregrass Ranch Mall (Wesley Chapel, FL) Outdoor mall
-International Plaza / Mall (better part of Tampa, FL) also closer to beaches, close to airport.
- Westshore Plaza (upscale mall not to far from International Plaza)
-Do not stay near University Mall (closest mall to BG but bad part of town)
-Plant City (famous for the strawberry festival)
- Channelside (near the port where the cruises leave from. This is the only real tourist area of Tampa). Ybor is a historical area but a bar district and questionable crowd at night.
- Carrollwood Mall (Carrollwood, FL)

- If you haven't noticed the trend, it's stay at least 15 minute drive from BG. There are some decent places to stay near BG but you would have to be careful when choosing and since you are not familiar with the area, just best to stay near a mall or better area.

-If you are spending time at the beach, check out the pirate boat tours. We went on one for a private party, young kids love it!

-Visit Winter the Dolphin (from the movie) seewinter.com

Beaches:

If you are going to visit St. Pete beach or Clearwater, just stay at the beach. We like to go to John's Pass Boardwalk area which is Madeira beach. When we camp we stay at Fort DeSoto State Park.

Tradewinds Resort is popular but on the pricey side. Great choice for kids. They do movies in the pool, have giant inflatable slides, a water island play area in shallow area of the beach. They have hair braiding stands, face painting, and every other tourist thing you can think of.

Siesta Keys is popular and has a playground on the beach. I have never been inside.

There are tons of resorts to choose from.

Don Cesar is really upscale and featured on the Travel Channel (The "Pink Palace") but I wouldn't personally stay there. I worked here for a conference. It is beautiful.

My personal favorite place to stay in St. Pete is Postcard Inn. It's a older hotel, lower price than the resorts. It brings in a college crowd. But you have to be prepared for a travel lodge with a fresh coat of paint (which is what it is). It is two properties over from Tradewinds. Get a second floor or else you will hear everything going on above you. Hey, the price is good and the staff are nice, and it's on the beach! Then we walk down to Tradewinds to rent jet ski's. You can also pay to use the slides and water island as a non-resort guest.

Have fun!

Click to expand...

not the OPO, but this is by far the most comprehensive advice so far.... Just the tyoe of stuff I want! We too are going to fly into Orlando (cheaper) but want to go to BG, so lodging is still up in the air. THis helps narrow the hotel search!. Thanks!

BG is not a resort area that is for sure. It is near USF, hospitals, and businesses, and lower-income residences/college housing in Tampa. The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino is the largest hotel near BG. I am not sure how that is with kids. It is near the fairgrounds. There is also a hotel right across from fairground entrance that is decent, but I forget the name. If you go in February you want to avoid the stuck in State Fair traffic for hours anyways.

If you want to stay near BG are not going to the beaches, look around these landmarks so you will have food options:

-Brandon Town Center (Brandon Mall)
-Wiregrass Ranch Mall (Wesley Chapel, FL) Outdoor mall
-International Plaza / Mall (better part of Tampa, FL) also closer to beaches, close to airport.
- Westshore Plaza (upscale mall not to far from International Plaza)
-Do not stay near University Mall (closest mall to BG but bad part of town)
-Plant City (famous for the strawberry festival)
- Channelside (near the port where the cruises leave from. This is the only real tourist area of Tampa). Ybor is a historical area but a bar district and questionable crowd at night.
- Carrollwood Mall (Carrollwood, FL)

- If you haven't noticed the trend, it's stay at least 15 minute drive from BG. There are some decent places to stay near BG but you would have to be careful when choosing and since you are not familiar with the area, just best to stay near a mall or better area.

-If you are spending time at the beach, check out the pirate boat tours. We went on one for a private party, young kids love it!

-Visit Winter the Dolphin (from the movie) seewinter.com

Beaches:

If you are going to visit St. Pete beach or Clearwater, just stay at the beach. We like to go to John's Pass Boardwalk area which is Madeira beach. When we camp we stay at Fort DeSoto State Park.

Tradewinds Resort is popular but on the pricey side. Great choice for kids. They do movies in the pool, have giant inflatable slides, a water island play area in shallow area of the beach. They have hair braiding stands, face painting, and every other tourist thing you can think of.

Siesta Keys is popular and has a playground on the beach. I have never been inside.

There are tons of resorts to choose from.

Don Cesar is really upscale and featured on the Travel Channel (The "Pink Palace") but I wouldn't personally stay there. I worked here for a conference. It is beautiful.

My personal favorite place to stay in St. Pete is Postcard Inn. It's a older hotel, lower price than the resorts. It brings in a college crowd. But you have to be prepared for a travel lodge with a fresh coat of paint (which is what it is). It is two properties over from Tradewinds. Get a second floor or else you will hear everything going on above you. Hey, the price is good and the staff are nice, and it's on the beach! Then we walk down to Tradewinds to rent jet ski's. You can also pay to use the slides and water island as a non-resort guest.

Have fun!

Click to expand...

I agree with most of this. I wouldn't stay in a hotel near BG, it's not the greatest area. I also wouldn't stay in the Channelside area, only because so many of the restaurants and shops have recently closed, and there really isn't much to do there (and is also close to the downtown area, which is plagued by serious traffic problems). I also wouldn't stay in the Plant City area either- it's pretty far removed from "tourist" areas of any sort, unless you are specifically going to visit during their Strawberry Festival.

I think a tourist would be better served by staying in a beach area on the other side of the bay (Pinellas county), and just driving to BG.

Oh, and there is no Carrollwood mall, it's actually called the Citrus Park mall, and is just outside Carrollwood, in Citrus Park

Oh, and there is no Carrollwood mall, it's actually called the Citrus Park mall, and is just outside Carrollwood, in Citrus Park

Click to expand...

I knew that. My family just calls it Carrollwood Mall instead of Westfield Citrus Park Town Center. We also say Brandon Mall instead of Westfield Brandon Town Center[/I], International Mall instead of International Plaza and Bay Street, Westshore Mall instead of Westshore Plaza. The Shops at Wiregrass is just "the mall" because we live next to it. I checked google and both versions pull up the correct location but the official name would help.

I wanted to add about the hour drive from the beach to BG or from Orlando. A tip to keep in mind is in the summer and school breaks, there is less traffic in mornings. Whenever school is in session the morning rush hour traffic is nearly double what it is when school is out. There a few school districts (one per county) in Tampa Bay if you wanted to check the schedule. These school districts do not account for the abundance of private schools on their own schedule. BG is in Hillsborough county.

From St Petersburg you would likely come through on north 275, which goes right across the downtown Tampa and really is almost entirely east bound (though they call it north) until you get to where the I4 splits off, right at the downtown/Channelside area.

We live locally, and we actually love the all day dine. As passholders, it is something like $27 per person, and you can easily spend that in 2 meals and a couple snacks/drinks, though usually we go when we eat all 3 meals in the parks to maximize the savings. The ADD allows an entree, side or dessert and drink at nearly all the counter service restaurants in the park (not snack carts) as many times as you want to use. Breakfast is ONLY served at one, so we eat there first (and it is close to the entrance). We have eaten at all the counter service places now, but our faves are usually the bbq joint by Sheikra and Desert Grill (spaghetti, fettucine, meatball subs) for meals. All have some great desserts, and all generally have fruit, veggies, etc for sides that you can get as snacks throughout the day along with a drink. We DO ride the coasters all day as well, not sure why anyone would think this was too much food to eat and ride, etc., we've never had a problem, and you don't HAVE to get all the parts when you go through the line, you could choose to get as many or as few as you wanted. A day for us is generally breakfast at 9am, snack of fruit and a drink around 10:30am, lunch @ 1pm, snack and drink @ 2-3, another snack and drink @ 4-5, generally a meal around 6-7. On late nights, probably another snack @ 8-9.

We rushed to get there for park open and after entering the park headed to the big rides. We never realized that most of the rides do not open until 1/2 or an hour (I forget which) after park opened so we basically walked around in circles trying to find something to do.